Pearl Abyss has rolled out patch version 1.00.03 for Crimson Desert, four days after its launch on Steam and PS5, focusing on keyboard and mouse control improvements alongside numerous fixes. The update adds menu shortcuts, enhances UI responsiveness, and addresses quests, combat, and stability issues across platforms. A separate hotfix followed for PlayStation.
Crimson Desert, a single-player action RPG from Pearl Abyss, launched last week to mixed reception, selling over 2 million copies despite complaints about controls, UI, graphics, and unintentionally included gen-AI assets. On Saturday, the studio apologized on Steam for the keyboard and mouse experience, promising rapid improvements based on player feedback. Patch 1.00.03, described as the 'beginning of improvements' for KBM controls, introduces shortcuts: Inventory ([I]), Skills ([K]), Journal ([J]), and Map ([M]). It improves character movement responsiveness, jump inputs, interaction UI speed, and fixes issues like random menu selection via Esc. Other changes include added Private Storage at Hernand and Howling Hill Camp, reduced time to acquire knowledge, fewer hits to log trees, easier minigames like Arm Wrestling, more fast-travel Abyss Nexuses, and boss nerfs such as reduced health, attack, and stamina costs for blocking. Combat tweaks boost stun gauge on parries and display boss weaknesses without prior knowledge. Platforms see fixes too: PS5 map crash resolved, Xbox offline access enabled, 120Hz toggle added, and Mac stability improvements. A PS hotfix 1.00.04 addressed character switching issues. Players continue discussing time-gated mounts, like the dragon with 15-minute use and 50-minute cooldown, with one Steam user stating, 'I'm really enjoying the game but are you seriously telling me that the other mounts that the game was advertising are something you tame once and then they just yeet after use? Why put that restriction?' Pearl Abyss affirmed, 'We are continuing to review and improve various gameplay elements based on your feedback and will bring you more fixes and improvements in subsequent updates.'